Sherry was born in Omaha, Nebraska on February 5, 1946. She was given the name and address of her future husband, Jim by a mutual friend while he was serving in the Navy on his third deployment to Vietnam aboard the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Ticonderoga. Nine months of letter writing ensued and apparently both were pretty good communicators because they finally met in person upon Jim’s return from overseas in October 1969. They were engaged 3 months later and soon after Jim’s discharge from active duty (April 1970) they were married on June 6, 1970.
Sherry became very active in local activities most involving St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. She was a charter member of the James V. Pernetti Unit 166 American Legion Auxiliary. Her time was spent with the Los Banos Genealogical Society, Young Ladies Institute, St. Joseph’s Altar Society, and St. Joseph’s Choir. She served on several church committees and enjoyed participation in church prayer and bible study groups.
Sherry was a dance instructor with Rose Marie Dance Studio for over 20 years. She was also a teacher at the Merced County (Los Banos) Child Development Center for many years until her retirement.
She was predeceased by her father Arthur A. Harper Sr., step father Raymond Treval and mother Alberta Treval and several nieces and nephews.
She is survived by her husband, Jim Valentine of Los Banos, daughter Kathy Valentine of Santa Cruz, brother Arthur Harper Jr. of Walton, Nebraska, sisters; Charlene (Kenneth) Boone of Garden Grove and Rae Cortez of Mission Hills.
A visitation will be held on Monday, September 24, 2018 at 10 am at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. The Recitation of the Holy Rosary at 11 am at St. Joseph Catholic Church followed by The Funeral Mass at 11:30 am. Burial at the San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery at 1:30 pm. Services are entrusted to Whitehurst Funeral Chapel-Los Banos.